Portrait of Wilhelm Bendz

Wilhelm Bendz (1804 - 1832) was a Danish painter who trained with Købke under C.W. Eckersberg. This portrait was probably painted shortly before Bendz set out on a tour of Germany and Italy; he died two years later in Vicenza. Despite his early death, Bendz is regarded as one of the key figures of the 'Golden Age' of Danish art, and he was an important influence on his younger friend Christen Købke.

Bendz is shown holding a painter's maulstick as if he has just been interrupted at his work. Within the small format, Købke projects a strong sense of the sitter's personality, describing his features in a lively yet precise and realistic style.